How far is Athens, TX from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Athens, TX to Fort Smith, AR is about 311.3 miles (501 km), with a travel time of about 06h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 10m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Oklahoma
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on North Prairieville Street
59 m · 8 sec · North Prairieville Street
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2
Turn right onto East Tyler Street
119 m · 13 sec · East Tyler Street
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3
Turn left onto North Palestine Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Palestine Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 19 North
24.4 mi · 36 min · State Highway 19 North
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5
Continue on Highway 19
44.9 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Highway 19
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6
Turn left onto Church Street
19.4 mi · 22 min · Church Street
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7
Turn right onto State Highway 24 North
15 mi · 17 min · State Highway 24 North
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8
Turn left onto East Hearne Avenue
157 m · 10 sec · East Hearne Avenue
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9
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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10
Continue on North Main Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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11
Continue on North US Highway 271
22.1 mi · 25 min · North US Highway 271
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12
Take the exit right toward US 70 West Bypass, US 271 North Bypass: Antlers
1008 ft · 25 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Jake Pulliam Bypass
3.2 mi · 3 min · Jake Pulliam Bypass
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14
Continue on Indian Nation Turnpike
63.1 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Indian Nation Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 69: McAlester, Atoka
1083 ft · 26 sec
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16
Continue on US 69 North: McAlester
1032 ft · 25 sec
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17
Merge slight left
4.8 mi · 7 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on South George Nigh Expressway
40.5 mi · 45 min · South George Nigh Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
3139 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
59.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
2140 ft · 53 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto West Ray Fine Boulevard
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Ray Fine Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1083 ft · 25 sec · North 11th Street
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24
Turn slight right onto Grand Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Fort Smith.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Indian Nation Turnpike
Continue on Indian Nation Turnpike
63.1 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Athens and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 311.3 miles (501 km) and usually takes 06h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Antlers is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.8 miles from Athens and 155.5 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.49 one way or $82.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Athens and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 235.16 mi (378.46 km).
#1 Athens
City in Texas
| Population | 12,770 |
| Coordinates | 32.2048700, -95.8555200 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Smith
The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
| Population | 87,764 |
| Coordinates | 35.3859200, -94.3985500 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 501 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $41.49 | $82.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.69 | $93.37 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $50.41 | $100.82 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $43.84 | $87.69 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Aug 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.